An Introduction to Forensics Sciences By Elizabeth (Betsy) Boedeker Senior Research Scientist/Coordinator of BioBench CRO Former Forensic Scientist (Forensic Biologist/DNA analyst) Anyone have one of these? Unusual forensics applications! Dogs of Bruntingthorpe UK • Small village • 150 people • 30 dogs • One resident failing to clean up after their dog Dr. Ian Eperon • Molecular geneticist • Compiled a database – All 30 dogs – Hair samples (roots intact) • Next “sample” left can be linked to owner • Nature Genetics 12;354 Crime in the United States Data from US Department of Justice Agenda • Forensic Science Specialties • Pseudoscents • Drug Chemistry • Latent Fingerprint analysis • Innocence project • Restorase and DNA Barcodes Agenda • Forensic Science Specialties • Pseudoscents • Drug Chemistry • Latent Fingerprint analysis • Innocence project • Restorase and DNA Barcodes Forensic Science • Definition: – Application of science to the law • Goal is to link – Suspect to a crime scene – Victim to a crime scene – Crime scene to crime scene – Victim to suspect – Suspect to victim Forensic Science • Common specialties – Microscopy (hairs and fibers) – Trace evidence – Firearms and Toolmarks – Forensic biology/Forensic DNA Analysis – Latent Fingerprint Analysis – Drug Chemistry • Less common – Odontology / Forensic Dentistry – Anthropology – Entomology (BUGS!) Microscopy • Examine and compare hairs – Human – Non human – Can determine sex and ethnicity • Fibers – Carpet – Other Microscopy Crushed human • Examine andhair compare hairs – Human – Non human – Can determine sex and ethnicity • Fibers – Carpet – Other Microscopy • Examine and compare hairs – Human – Non human – Can determine sex and ethnicity • Fibers – Carpet – Other Animal Hairs Microscopy • Examine and compare hairs – Human – Non human – Can determine sex and ethnicity • Fibers – Carpet – Other Cotton Fibers Microscopy • Examine and compare hairs – Human Silk Fibers – Non human – Can determine sex and ethnicity • Fibers – Carpet – Other Trace Evidence Firearms / toolmarks Firearms / toolmarks Firearms / toolmarks Firearms / toolmarks Odontology Odontology Anthropology Anthropology Entomology Entomology Forensic Biology/ DNA analysis Forensic Biology/ DNA analysis Agenda • Forensic Science Specialties • Pseudoscents • Drug Chemistry • Latent Fingerprint analysis • Innocence project • Restorase and DNA Barcodes Drug Chemistry • In order to use drug chemistry techniques, we must first find the drug. Drug Chemistry • In order to use drug chemistry techniques, we must first find the drug. Olfactory abilities Bighead Mathilda Betsy Olfactory Membrane Olfactory Membrane Olfactory Membrane 14 sq cm 4 sq cm 150 sq cm Sense of smell Sense of smell Sense of smell ok good Phenomenal!!! Olfactory abilities BEEF STEW • People Smell Olfactory abilities BEEF STEW • Dogs Smell Pseudo Scents Pseudo Scents • 1989 • Thomas Juehne • John Revell Pseudo Scents • Cocaine • Heroin • Marijuana Pseudo Scents • Pseudo Corpse – I and II • Pseudo Distress Drug Detection • Once alerted to the presence of drugs, the drug must be identified. • This can be done in the field or in the lab. Agenda • Forensic Science Specialties • Pseudoscents • Drug Chemistry • Latent Fingerprint analysis • Innocence project • Restorase and DNA Barcodes Latent Fingerprints • What is a fingerprint? – complex mixture of natural secretions – contaminations from the environment • Primarily made of secretions – From palms (ridges) of hands and soles of the feet • Ridges are genetically defined – don’t change Latent Print Analysis – Super Glue Fuming • How does it work? – The main ingredient in super glue is cyanoacrylate (C5H5NO2) – Instantly form bonds with hydroxyl ions in water How Superglue works! Superglue + HEAT fumes + Water (humidity from air) + Components left behind by pores on our fingertips Latent Print Analysis – Super Glue Fuming DIY • Items needed: – Super Glue – Aluminum Foil or ½ of an Aluminum Can – Cup of Hot Water – Heat Source (60 watt bulb) – Fuming Chamber (cardboard box size of bread box) – Items suspected of having fingerprints • Note: Cyanoacrylates can cause extreme eye and nose irritation. Fuming should be done in well-ventilated areas Latent Print Analysis – Super Glue Fuming DIY – one set up Latent Print Analysis – Super Glue Fuming DIY – Results (from a different set up) Latent Print Analysis • Unknown print from a crime can be photographed and scanned into a computer. • Compared to known fingerprints in Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) Agenda • Forensic Science Specialties • Pseudoscents • Drug Chemistry • Latent Fingerprint analysis • Innocence project • Restorase and DNA Barcodes The Innocence Project-266 free Antonio Beaver-Local St. Louis case • 1997 conviction • Carjacking • Eyewitness testimony – 75% of time is WRONG • Exonerated March 2007 – Innocence Project • 266 people so far exonerated (Feb 2011) • Antonio Beaver was number 197 Antonio Beaver-Local St. Louis case Possible Future Trends: Restorase • What is Restorase? – Enzyme blend that makes copies of and repairs damaged DNA. • 2003 • Possible forensic uses – Used to analyze ancient/damaged DNA • Peruvian Mummy Identification (solve ancient crimes?) • 9/11 victims • Museum specimens Possible Future Trends: Restorase • DNA Barcoding – Short DNA sequence that can characterize every form of life on the planet. – Mitochondrial DNA – Sequence recorded in a giant database for future use • 41,155 species categorized to date • Projects in Process: – Birds – Fish – Mammals – Insects – And more…. Possible Future Trends: Restorase – DNA Barcodes • Applications - Fraud: – Red Snapper – rare and $$$ – 2004 Study • 9 vendors in 8 states • 77% (17/22) fish labeled as Red Snapper, were vermilion or lane snapper – Chicago Study - 2007 • 14 sushi restaurants • 64% (9/14) were tilapia ThankThank You! You!.